Abscess Tooth In Dogs

Submitted by Nic on August 22, 2011

An abscess tooth in dogs is a lot like that in humans. This abscess is extremely common in dogs and is usually caused by bacterial infection in the premolars located in the back of the mouth. Carnassial tooth, or the fourth premolar in the dog’s mouth, is the largest tooth in the animal’s mouth. This tooth has three roots, and it can get diseased rather quickly. Thus Carnassial tooth abscess in dogs is not uncommon.

Some of the other causes of abscess tooth in dogs include trauma from a blow, bacterial infections, chewing on hard objects, and fighting with each other. Usually, it is difficult for dogs to restrain themselves from eating things that they are not meant to eat. If it smells good to them, they are most likely going to take a bite of it. This means that you may have to deal with broken teeth or abscesses in the mouth.

Some of the bacteria like streptococcus, E. coli, and pseudomonas could also cause infections in the mouth, leading to tooth abscesses. Typically, when bacteria enter your mouth, they attack the roots and cut off the blood supplies, leading to detachment of the tooth from the roots. This could also lead to damage to the surrounding tissues as well.

Abscess tooth in dogs symptoms include pain in the mouth and the inability to eat. The dog may begin to avoid food because of the pain in the mouth. There may be a foul smell in the dog’s mouth. There could be swelling of the skin near the eyes. The abscess could also lead to formation of pus in the mouth and finally, leakage of fluids from the mouth.

Unless you consult a vet, it may not be possible for you to diagnose the problem on your own. However, if you see blood in the mouth or if the dog is reluctant to eat their food, it is most likely due to the tooth problem. Abscess tooth in dog treatments are only attempted when the exact nature of the tooth abscess is ascertained.

The doctor would typically check the signs of abscess tooth in dogs. They would look at the mouth for swelling, bleeding, or any kind of leakage. A dental X-ray may have to be taken to see which exact tooth has been affected. It is highly probable that the doctor may have to extract the tooth. Some dogs may continue to eat normally. However, some others may not be able to eat normally.